Sompong to take foreign affairs portfolio

PM Somchai told Sompong that he wanted him to be foreign minister because he could not find suitable person. PM wanted the new foreign minister to be more politically savy which he said would benefit bilateral negotiation and talks.

"I have no worries in my new assignment and my priority is to resolve the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia," he said.

Sompong said he did not yet study details of the border dispute but was ready to start studying to solve the disputes.

Sompong said he was picked for his new job based on his political experience as negotiator.

In regard to his successor at Justice, he said Culture Minister Somsak Kiartsuranont was well qualified and might succeed him.

He was speaking his farewell party hosted at the Justice Ministry.